Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi over teleprompter: How does the device work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in the Davos Agenda Summit of the World Economic Forum through video conferencing. During the summit, PM Modi had to interrupt his address due to a technical snag.

Many believed it happened due to a technical problem in the teleprompter, but there has been no official statement confirming that.

After the video of the PM's speech went viral, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Even the teleprompter could not take so many lies.”

What is a teleprompter?

Teleprompter, also known as an autocue, is a display device that helps a person to read speech or script. It is commonly used in television newsrooms. It's screen is placed slightly below the video camera on which the presenter reads the script.

However, the teleprompter used by the prime minister is slightly different.

How does PM's teleprompter work?

While many think that the glass panel seen around the prime minister when he delivers his address from Red Fort is a bulletproof glass, it's actually a teleprompter.

The type of teleprompter is called a conference teleprompter. In this, the LCD monitor is at the bottom, whose focus remains upwards. There are glasses around the presenter, which are aligned in such a way that the text running on the LCD monitor is reflected on them. In this way, the PM completes his speech without any problems.

The speed of speech is controlled by an operator who listens carefully to the speaker and follows their speech. When the speaker pauses his address, the operator pauses the text. However, the audience does not see these texts. Only the operator and the speaker can see it.

How much does this teleprompter cost?

The cost of a conference teleprompter in India ranges from Rs 2.7 lakh to 17 lakh, depending on its size and brand.

Watch | PM Modi delivers 'State of the World' address at WEF's Davos agenda